05.22.11 — A City Herbal — the Acrostic



Sunday, May 22, 2011

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz


"Maida Silverman's book A City Herbal is a treasure for city dwellersabundant pleasures free for the finding. Silverman is articulate and affectionate as she tells of the beautiful and valuable plants—bittersweet to yarrow—in urban areas.” - Publishers Weekly

The quotation: CLOVER IS… FROM THE LATIN CLAVA, MEANING… CUDGEL… ATTRIBUTED TO THE RESEMBLANCE THE LEAFLETS BORE TO THE… CLUB OF HERCULES WHICH HAD THREE PROMINENT KNOBS… THIS… IS THE ORIGIN OF THE SUIT OF CLUBS IN THE PLAYING-CARD DECK.

"Hercules and the Hydra", c 1475, Antonio del Pollaiolo

The author’s name and the title of the work:  MAIDA SILVERMAN A CITY HERBAL

The defined words:

A. Expected deliverer, MESSIAH
B. Like a bon mot with a bite, ACERBIC
C. Due to get a whipping, maybe (2 wds.), IN DUTCH
D. Spread out in all directions, DIFFUSE
E. River crossed by Charon’s ferry, ACHERON
F. Emblem in the Boston Celtics logo, SHAMROCK
G. Analytic tool involving free association, INKBLOT
H. Event after a countdown, LIFTOFF
I. Apt to say or write a thing in a lot more words than one may really need, VERBOSE
J. Subject to magical influence, ENCHANT
K. Ticket stub, for example, RECEIPT
L. Peppermint oil derivative felt to be soothing, MENTHOL
M. Mound of debris piled up by digging workers, ANTHILL
N. Like some wrecks and breakdowns, NERVOUS
O. Superior, in slang (2 wds.), ALL THAT
P. Cigar having open, unhampered ends, CHEROOT
Q. Force associated with a moving body, IMPETUS
R. Willful?, TESTATE
S. Year-end burner (2 wds.), YULE LOG
T. Thumbed, HITCHED
U. Search for items to put in a basket (2 wds.), EGG HUNT
V. Hockey rink bisector (2 wds.), RED LINE
W. Spellbind with paranormal powers, BEWITCH
X. Condense, digest, ABRIDGE
Y. Creature whose tail is prized by gourmets, LOBSTER

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Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

 

 

 

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